Ana slumps in Ryker's grip, becoming nothing more than dead-weight as the stress and confusion of the last few moments got to her, her body begins to shake with minute sobs. Tears streamed from her eyes, but one look would tell you it was from helpless outrage.
Escape Artist:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20Not gonna bother taking away dex, since his goes down the same amount and cancels out.
"Let go of me!"Then with a sudden jerk, she manages to slip away from Ryker, only to withdraw into a corner and stoop to the floor with her arms around her knees and head down. "Just leave me alone.." Her voice shook as she added that last bit, on the edge of full on screaming mode.
"Let me go!" Screaming from a party of emotions ranging from frustration, to rage, to fear as she thrashed in Ryker's grip, eventually creating an opening from which she could escape.
Escape Artist:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Her fear grew as the dust began to settle and the imp disappeared from her sight. All hope that she held of seeing her brother fading into an icy chill as she realized that Elysriel's arrow may soon remove any chance she may have had.
Free from Ryker's grip, after taking an initial step away from Ryker she will then turn to Elysriel with an upraised hand as she hisses a spell. From her hand a brilliant ray of energy fires from the palm of her hand and arcs its way to the archer.
Touch attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8Casting Ray of Enfeeblement and brilliantly missing the broad side of a barn. Str Penalty:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The ray flies harmlessly by and Ana prepares for what was to come in the following moments. Tears began to flow from her eyes, though from sadness or rage, was unclear.
Knowledge Planes:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Sense Motive for the gigglez:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Still confused and angry, her expression slacks a bit at the mention of her brother in what could seem as mild desperation before settling back into a cold stare. Her eyes dart back and forth between Ryker and Elysriel as she carefully maneuvers herself between the both of them and her new Imp companion, aiming to provide it with given a meager cover from Elysriel's arrows while denying a direct path for Ryker as best she can.
"You better be telling the truth, or I'll gut you myself." She says under her breath.
"What the hell are you screaming abo-?" She started to ask before noticing Ryker in the midst of releasing magic.
Spellcraft:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Will Save to negate:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9Oh god... get it out of the way I suppose.
The brightness reflected by the particles of the unknown spell burned into her retnas, and an involuntary gasp sounds from her mouth as she settled back into a ready a stance as she can with her spear tip swaying blindly in Ryker's direction.
Her eyes flicker open then closed, a cold chill rushing up her spine as her body reacted to the inability to see with a pit of fear and rage building from her core. "What do you think you're doing?!"
End of turn save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
She felt it as the strength of the magic waned, and let the force of her will wash through her like the high tide, washing it away like castles in the sand as her stance tightens and spear steadies. Her eyes slowly open, locking onto Ryker all but seething with anger and confusion.
Ana stood over the slain Casamir, staring down at him with a deathly grim expression. There was no remorse in her eyes, nor the firm set of her jaw to be seen. One final, cruel twist of her spear and she tore it from his corpse, the movement accompanied only buy the sound of tearing flesh and the ring of steel, again taking in her surroundings, noting the horrified expression on Elysriel's face.
Her eyes followed Casamir as he laid himself to rest by the fire, then shot to the spear against the wall beside her as she grew confident that he was asleep. Her resolve strong, she rose from the floor with spear hugged to her chest as if it would keep away the cold. She strode over non-chalantly before pausing to analyze her surroundings. Mid-stride she would erect her Twilight Barrier. None would be the wiser, and should he survive...
She smiled inwardly though her expression remained blank, amused by her train of thought. He wouldn't. This had to be done. For all of their survival, but more importantly, so she can see Him again.
She strode over to where Casamir lay by the fire, her grip on the spear tightening as she lifted it above her head, then with all her might, brought it down into the sleeping man's chest.
Coup De Grace:3d8 ⇒ (2, 7, 6) = 15 Obviously without Ryker's bonus, apply as/if appropriate.
Ana turns and departs in search of even a small bit of privacy before settling down to rest, curling in tight on herself and wrapping her cloak about her she drifted off into reverie. The frustration that none of her companions had any answers to the questions she'd asked of the last few days peaked and leaked into the visions of her dream-like, sleepless rest.
Did I not pick up anything with my Detect Magic, for the Fire, or anything else I might be looking at in this room such as magic schools or spell strength? Also, this will save, what effects am I now under, if any and would I be acting any differently than normal? Here is a spellcraft check for both the fire and the blazing runes.
She would listen patiently as the others began to introduce themselves, staring blankly into the runes on the wall. Ryker's family history was known to her and she turned to take her first step in search of a place to rest before she froze at the mention of his visions.
She watched as Ryker reached into the flames, and back out with the stick and decanter in hand and unharmed, though surprise was long gone. Too much of the impossible has shown itself to her in the last few days and she resolved merely to accept what was.
"Ryker, this vision. What can you tell me about the man you saw? You said he was old.."
Ana turns to regard Ryker, gazing at him sidelong over her shoulder with her eyes wide, betraying her usual stoicism. They then fell as if to analyze the hand stretched out to her, then to a wound not fully healed, the skin of her shoulder marred with dark bruises and a barely closed cut, then back to Ryker. A moment passes in silence before she turns and steps forward, laying her hand in his and nods her assent.
A warmth suffused her and surged through her body, soothing the pain and healing her wounds even as she watched. Once it was done, she would take her hand back, curling her cloak about her as if to keep the warmth of the spell about her.
"Thank you, Ryker." She said, before turning back to the runes on the wall. She would study them in silence for a time before seeking out a place to rest.
Questions raised in her mind, and suspicion and fear etched upon her face as she gazed into the runes that now blazed with power in her eyes. An edgy step takes her a pace back from the wall as thoughts and emotions raged within her mind.
Ana keeps apace with the others. She is still silent, preferring the solitude of her own mind. As she walked, a brooding look took her and only deepened when they came upon the clearing. Her eyes scanned over the fallen men with little more than passing glances and settled on the cabin with suspicion. Reaching into that part of herself where her power resides, she called on it to fuel a spell.
Casting Detect Magic.
DM:
Spellcraft:1d20 + 12 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 6 = 28Upon seeing the aura of the barrier.
She watches the man as he levitates with a new respect in her eyes and follows with little hesitation when he enters the cabin. The sight of this Ryevn came as a surprise to her. But what grabbed her attention was scrawled upon the wall in blood or etched into it.
She'll walk over to the runes, her fingers grazing over the frayed edges of the wood as she recited the words.
"The darkness comes,
The devil waits
To fill his belly
The devil takes
He cleans his claws
And beckons more
To set fourth in search
Of the Devils door"
After a few minutes of examining the wall, she'll turn to the others. "We are not safe here. These words were written in the script of demons of the lower planes."
She would stare after Ryevn as he departs the cabin, wondering what could possibly be going through his mind that he would forsake the safety it granted. And what dogs?
Ana's eyes remained fixated throughout the exchange on the stranger, faltering only for a moment when trust was mentioned with a quick glance toward Elysriel with a somewhat incredulous look on her face before returning.
She'll wordlessly take her place in line, relieved that they were finally on the move again. She would struggle to listen as they others bickered for any sign of pursuit.
"They are both potions of cure moderate wounds. One should suffice to get the man on his own feet."
With that, she ambled off ahead a few paces her head dipped down as if deep in thought. Mumbled words could be heard as she spoke softly in a strange language to herself.
Aklo:
"Why am I here, Felix? Where and when does my current path meet with the one you spoke of?"
She shakes her head and turns to see what progress has been made in her momentary solitude.
Sorry guys. My posts are probably going to be pretty disparate for a while. My wife recently underwent back surgery and there have been some complications. I'll post when I can.
Ana had remained silent through the whole exchange, her expression carefully neutral though her thoughts and emotions were in turmoil and her voice is barely more than a whispered monotone.
"Let me see them." Once they are in her sight she will cast Detect Magic. Her eyes intent on the potions before she turns away, absentmindedly playing a lock of her hair between her fingers.
"Then we shouldn't dally any longer than we already have."
Ana will cast Light upon her longspear, turning to regard the unconscious man with a look of impatience clear on her face. "If his wounds are not serious, then he can take care of himself. Otherwise if we are to take him with us, then let us get on with it before they close in on us."
She will then turn her gaze out into the forest and listened for danger as her eyes scanned the treeline.
Ana stands and turns away from her victim with little more emotion on her face than a rock and rejoins the others.
"Though I've magic in place to keep me moving, I'm in pretty bad shape. If there's nothing of use on these things we should get moving, as Elysriel says. The battle will have attracted any number of other things in the area and I don't wish to be caught in ambush at night."
Ana kneels down before the unconscious form of the sasquatch, her hand reaching out, palm extended with all the inevitability of fate itself. A black, creeping aura suffuses her arm then slams into the half dead squatch, simultaneously an aura of pure white replaces it, slowly settling and dissolving. At closer inspection, one would note the unmistakable stillness of death as the squatch now lies lifeless before her.
Ana hustles from her current position to the other side of the clearing, standing over the unconscious body of one of the creatures with deadly intent in her eyes.
I just looked through all the attacks, I'm currently staggered at 0 HP.
Ana takes the moment she now has to erect her barrier once more. Her reserves of power were getting low, and she looked over the battlefield as it was now.
Looking for not-quite-dead people (unconscious), and generally taking a head count and noting the shape everyone is in.
Her own smile grows almost manic as she watched realization and fear etch themselves on her targets face before they were struck down. An almost girlish giggle as she stalks forward, a reddish aura flickering about her hands.
"Does anyone have any idea what these things are?"
I'm currently unable to view the map, but could the DM position Ana so she has a clear cone for her next spell so that it hits at least two if not three.
She stopped as she gained clear line of effect, and with a flash and a menacing laugh she loosed flame upon her enemies.
Casting Burning Hands. Also erecting her Twilight Barrier.
Damage:2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5DC 18
She muttered under breath in elven.
Elven:
"Best listen to the good Prince, before something awful changes his mind."
She will then retrieve her longspear from her back with a small flourish, setting herself into a defensive stance. Though her posture was sure, her hands gripped awkwardly on the shaft of the spear, as if she rarely used it.
"I'm not accustomed to taking prisoners, Ryker. Should they prove too dangerous to contain.." She let those listening finish the thought for themselves as she prepared herself mentally for the chaos of combat.
She'll take the time now to cast Shield, and if she has time, she will follow up with Mage Armor.
Whether they live or die will be by their own choosing.
Upon leaving the city, Ana leaves with the Mayor some parting words in hopes that he will deliver them to Baile and Blaike both. "Should you happen upon them, or spare a messenger, please send these to them. They should still be within the city."
She hands Mayor Felgren two letters, each clearly labeled and finely written in common as well as two silver pieces.
Blaike:
I am.
Baile:
Thank you, Baile for accompanying me here. I fear I'd have fared far worse without your shield. I look forward to the day we fight side by side again.
~Ana
"So long as they know these letters are from me, nothing further is needed. But.." Walking from the desk, she then pauses at the door, looking back over her shoulder to the mayor from behind a curtain of dark hair. The silver streaks shimmering in the light. "Should any word arrive, or an inquiry of my whereabouts or well-being from my family, please keep it safe, and tell them that I am well, and I am sorry for leaving so abruptly and without warning. I would consider this a personal favor, and will repay that debt to the best of my ability." With one last nod, Ana follows the others out in pursuit of the MistMan.
Ana keeps apace with the others. Her eyes focused on Elysriel at point and mirrored her movements. She paid no heed to anything else, aside from the occasional searching glance as they moved. The Hunt was on.
Ana watched, as that was all she could do, as the man who had the answers made his escape.
There are no guards. She thought, shaking her head and turning to follow Casimir upstairs at a casual pace.
Odd in itself, but even if there were.. Her thoughts brought her up to the others with a grim look on her face. Her target had long eluded her by the time she rejoined them and she wanted nothing more than to be back home.
She had begun to think that there was more than one innocent loon in the room. "No innocent man confesses to a crime he could not have committed and then hides the truth."
Nevertheless, she stares at Amber, patiently waiting for his reply to Casimir's words.
Ana steps in, her blue eyes intent on the man even as he gazed back at her and her partner. She stops just out of his reach, taking in the sight of him.
"What is your name?" Her tone is calm, polite. As if they were discussing the days' events over tea in the comfort of her own home and her expression supports that image with a hint of a smile lifting her lips.
She hides it well, but you get the hunch that Ana is uncomfortable, maybe even frustrated with the current situation in some way but isn't speaking up. She's clearly got something on her mind and her eyes are weary as they regard the others, though no such thing exists when she meets your gaze and in fact briefly looks more comfortable.
Ana dines with the others in silence. She would look to Ryker with some surprise and a look of deep contemplation at his remark before she stands.
"Thank you for the meal, I'll now go and see what I may learn from the prisoner. Are there any further details you can provide? Such as the nature of Ms Ire's wounds. The more I know, the easier it will be to know if this man's claim holds true."
She heard and tolerated the frustration in the mayor's voice and words, he had every right and she knew if it were one of her kin that had been murdered she would be just as insistent.
"How did she die? Have we determined a cause of death? And did she have any family or friends that might shed light on her recent activities that we might begin to formulate a working theory? I do not wish to put undo stress on them in their time of mourning, but if we are to catch whoever is responsible before another victim is claimed we need more information. Also, the prisoner you have in captivity now, has anyone spoken to him to confirm details of the kill for legitimacy of his confession? If not, I would gladly do so in your stead."
A challenge of intellect and the subject matter, life and death. This was a game she could play.
She stood statue still as the Mayor spoke. "I'm unsure that my business has anything to do with the death of Ms. Ire, but my offer of aide stands."
Her gaze shifts to Ryker as he offers the boy a cloak that surely was as wet and cold as the child must have been.
"Whatever business these fellows have with you is their own. I can step outside and give you privacy, if you wish. Unfortunately, I know nothing of the situation here."
Ana takes the towel graciously, affording the servant girl with a soft smile of appreciation before drying her hair.
Affection, huh? She doesn't speak as they make their way inside. Staying silent as her thoughts wander, taking her into the office and gazing out the window to watch the storm. As she does, her thoughts travel to a similar dark place in her mind before the Mayor addresses them.
Preferring to stand, she does so, turning to face the others but remaining by the window with the towel held against her chest as she dries her neck and shoulders.
"I know not of the others, only that my reasons for being here are quite sensitive and should not fall on the wrong ears should the information I was given hold any merit."
What little flush may or may not have shown in her cheeks was short lived if at all and any warmth she may or may not have felt was washed away as the rain fell over her. It took her a bit of willpower not to smirk back at the Prince who could only be at best, half her age.
She merely nodded at his statement, walking past and inside to learn what she may of the situation at hand and in extension, the greater scope of things as she wondered still what her place would be in the trials to come.
Ana held her hand against her forehead, shielding her eyes from the heavy rain as she gazes up at the sky. The weather seemed to be reflecting her inner turmoil, the uneasiness of the last few days pouring down from the dark storm clouds above.
She stalled there a moment as the others made their way inside, appreciating and paying her respect to the display of natural power. Since she was young, it was never the dark, or the low roll of thunder that chilled her heart in fear. What frightened her most as a youngling, was when all was silent, not knowing where the next strike would land. Her mother had told her a century and more before, that magic existed in everything. That one day she would be the voice, and and guiding hand of the elemental forces of this world. She closed her eyes, her old lessons playing back in her mind and with a muttered word and a hand stretched out to the heavens they opened wide. Her magical senses extending out from her in a wide sphere. The release of power was a rush, and brought a grin to her face as she looked upon the world with the eyes of the gods themselves. She's casting detect magic. >:3
Several moments more pass as she stares out at the world around her. Then her gaze drops to follow the mayor as she takes her first step on a new journey.
Ana will then approach, introducing herself formally to the mayor. That same contortion of her hand placed over her heart as she speaks, screening her words carefully to avoid upsetting the boy.
"Mayor, I'm sorry to hear another of your townsfolk has met such an ill fate. I'd like to offer my assistance, however I may help, I will."
The warmth of the sun settled in the room, and Lily gathered herself and rose from her reverie, the memories of the dream-like state falling away from her consciousness and leaving her to ponder her next move.
She gazed out from the window, frustrated that she'd rested the morning away and turned to read the letter that awaited her. Covering his bases, I see. She mused to herself. Now who are these chosen I am supposed to meet here?
"Felix." Who was he, to deliver such a message? And to her, of all people?
With those thoughts in mind, she made her way downstairs, handing her key to Barthalamuel and bidding him a good day before stepping outside. Outside in the fresh air and the warmth of the sun, she visibly relaxed, and her mind calmed. All things will fall into their proper place. She had to believe that.
She then strode off toward the heart of the city, and Mayor Felgren. She would learn the situation here, and from there learn more of her own objectives if she could. She never had dreamed that she would be called on to save the world, she could barely redeem her own family.
